Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Puerto Vallarta International Airport is experiencing a promising year, thanks to a thriving domestic travel market. A look at the numbers shows that national tourism is the key driver behind the airport’s recent success.
In August 2025, the airport saw a 5.5% increase in commercial passenger arrivals compared to the same month in 2024. This growth was the highest among the 12 Mexican airports managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), highlighting Puerto Vallarta’s popularity. In total, 475,800 passengers passed through the airport last month, a healthy increase from the 451,000 recorded in August of the previous year.
National Travelers Fuel the Positive Trends
The true engine behind this impressive performance is the national market. In August alone, 314,000 passengers arrived on domestic flights, a significant 12.8% jump from August 2024. This trend has been consistent, with domestic passenger numbers reaching 2,119,400 in the first eight months of 2025, an 11.4 percent increase from the 1,902,600 passengers during the same period last year.
While domestic travel soars, the international market is seeing a slight slowdown. In August, international passenger arrivals were down 6.3% compared to the previous year, with 161,800 travelers arriving versus 172,600 in 2024. This decrease is also reflected in the year-to-date numbers, which show a 5.0% drop in international passengers. Despite this, the strong growth from travelers within Mexico has more than compensated, keeping the airport’s overall numbers on a positive trajectory.
Overall, Puerto Vallarta International Airport welcomed 4,831,900 passengers in the first eight months of 2025, a 1.6% increase over the same period in 2024. With domestic travelers leading the way, the airport is positioned for continued steady growth throughout the year.
We need your support to keep Banderas News thriving. As more and more news outlets resort to paywalls, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide free, quality journalism to Puerto Vallarta residents and visitors. Your contribution helps us maintain this commitment and continue serving our community.